School of Education | Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA LMU.edu
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School Counseling/CWA Program Funding

COUNSELING PROGRAM UPDATE: Golden State Teacher Grant Now Includes PPS, School Counseling and CWA Students: New Grant Opportunity Offers up to $10,000 in Financial Assistance  

February 27, 2023

The Golden State Teacher Grant now includes pupil personnel services, which allows school counselors, those seeking the Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) PPS Authorization, and school psychologists to participate in this one-time grant fund opportunity.  

“This Golden State Teacher Grant is a great financial resource for our School Counseling students, and we are thrilled that this opportunity is now available to our students in our M.A. School Counseling and CWA programs,” said Dr. Atwater, Director of the MA School Counseling and CWA Programs. “This grant will help all of our students that are pursuing a career in pupil personnel services, to help fund their education and serve as counselors in exactly the areas in CA that they are needed in order to truly make a difference.”   

Who Qualifies for the Golden State Teacher Grant? 

Students participating in a professional preparation program leading to a California pupil personnel services credential, or the CWA pupil personnel services add-on credential authorization, can apply to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program if they are pursuing their degree at a CCTC-approved institution such as LMU’s School of Education. Eligible applicants can receive a one-time grant of up to $10,000. Students must plan to work in a California public school designated as a “priority school” (see below) for four years after graduation. 

  • Students enrolled in the following LMU School of Education programs qualify: MA/PPS School Counseling, PPS CWA-Add-On Authorization Ed.S. in School Psychology, and Teacher Education & Special Education. 
  • Enrollment timeline: Students who have applied for enrollment to the designated School of Education programs, on or after January 1, 2020 are eligible to participate in the grant. 
  • Incoming students: CASC is  currently working to develop a process by which students that express interest to enroll in a preliminary teaching credential or pupil personnel services credential may submit a request for a pre-enrollment conditional award notice. This will allow students to plan ahead so that they can earmark grant funds towards their tuition. 

What Are the Grant Requirements?  

Before accepting the Golden State Teacher Grant, all pupil personnel/CWA applicants must agree to the terms and conditions of the agreement. In addition to completing the program requirements, the agreement requires recipients to fulfill several conditions: 

  • Work at a priority school. The grant requires students to work in California at a priority school for at least four years within the eight years following the date the student completes the professional preparation program. A current list of priority schools is available on the CSAC website. 
  • Maintain good academic standing. Grant recipients must maintain good academic standing while they are enrolled in their CTC-approved preparation program. Students must complete their program and earn a preliminary credential within three years after the first distribution of grant funds. 

As with most grant agreements, if Golden State Teacher Grant recipients do not fulfill each of these obligations within the allotted time frame, they must repay the grant reward in part or in full. See the GSTG website for more details. 

What Are the Steps to Apply? 

As a CTC-accredited institution, LMU’s School of Education’s MA Counseling and CWA Programs are proud to be a Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Here are the steps to apply for the grant and begin a career at LMU

  1. Optional: Watch our Counseling Programs Graduate Open House first to learn more about our faculty, staff and curriculum in the School Counseling Program.
  2. Apply to our eligible CTC-approved LMU School of Education’s program, such as the MA/PP School Counseling Program or Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) PPS Add-On Authorization Program (for those with a valid PPS credential) by submitting your application here.
  3. Be accepted into and enroll in Loyola Marymount University. 
  4. Apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant. 
  5. California Student Aid Commission will notify LMU’s Financial Aid Office of your accepted application. 
  6. LMU’s School of Education will notify you once your grant funds become available. 

We look forward to receiving your application, and invite and encourage you to take advantage of this amazing Golden State Grant opportunity to fund your graduate education in school counseling /CWA and serve those K-12 students most in need.